(Santa Ana) 
More than 100 representatives of non-profit organizations,
state agencies, Orange County cities and County agencies
will meet tomorrow to discuss ways to address the needs
of the countys homeless and low-income residents.
Representatives are also expected from the offices of
Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressman Ed Royce and Assemblyman
Scott Baugh.

According to a survey by the Countys department
of Housing and Community Development, there are more than
14,000 homeless people on any given night in Orange County.

Tomorrows Continuum of Care Community Forum will
be from noon to 4 p.m. at the LA Times meeting room at
1375 Sunflower Ave. in Costa Mesa. Co-sponsors of
the meeting are the County Executive Office, Orange County
Homeless Issues Task Force and the Shelter & Hunger
Partnership of Orange County.

This forum is a spin-off of the former Continuum
of Care steering committee meetings that Ive coordinated
for the County for the past two years, said Karen
Roper, County Homeless Coordinator. What were
doing tomorrow has a greater significance because of the
wider view well take on homeless issues. Whereas
we previously focused on securing federal Homeless Assistance
grant funding, well now look at how to marshal all
of our resources to develop an ongoing, regional, coordinated
effort for our system of care. Well focus
on housing, health care, social services, legislation
and the entire scope of issues surrounding the homeless
and low-income populations in Orange County. Each
Community Forum will feature topics which relate to these
issues.

The new collaborative expects to meet quarterly.
For further information, call Karen Roper at 834-3355.
.